Arsenal Warned Over Aubameyang

Arsenal Told Not To Expect Swap Deal

Arsenal have been told not to expect a swap deal involving Olivier Giroud and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gunners are being linked with a move for the Gabon international as they seek to replace Theo Walcott, who moved to Everton on Wednesday, or Alexis Sanchez who is on the verge of a transfer to Manchester United.

Dortmund are keen on the 31-year-old Giroud and have contacted Arsenal about a possible deal. However, they have told the Gunners that any move for the striker will have no bearing on any Arsenal bid for Aubameyang.

The 28-year-old Dortmund striker was suspended by the club for last weekend’s Bundesliga clash with Wolfsburg. It was his third internal suspension and led to sporting director Michael Zorc to proclaim: “we cannot go on like this.”

But Dortmund aren’t interested in any swap or part-exchange deal. They will speak to Arsenal about a deal for Giroud but it won’t have any bearing on any move for Aubameyang.

Reports from France claim Dortmund are only looking for Giroud for a period of six months which suggests a loan move for the Frenchman. But Giroud might be interested in a short-term deal. He has an eye on a place in the France squad for the World Cup in Russia this summer after being warned his place is at risk as he isn’t playing regular first-team football.

Giroud has only made one Premier League start for the Gunners so far this season along with 14 appearances off the bench. He picked up a hamstring injury in the match with West Ham United before Christmas – ironically, the only match he has started this term. He isn’t expected to return to action until after the transfer window closes at the end of this month.